Method and apparatus for validating pre-pay and post-pay communication services using the same integrated database

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed for validating pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. The integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to communication networks, and more particularly,to a system for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integratedservice platform connected for a portion of the calls.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As is the case for most businesses, telecommunication service providersdesire to increase their profits. Typically, profits are increased byoffering new products and services, and by reducing costs associatedwith providing products and offering services. Communication serviceproviders typically offer services on a very large scale, such as on anationwide basis. In this environment, communication providers cansubstantially reduce costs by decreasing the number of network resourcesrequired for offering a service.

Communication providers today offer many types of communicationservices, including pre-pay and post-pay calling card services. In apre-pay calling card service, a caller obtains a pre-pay account with anamount such as monetary amount or a period of time that is debitedagainst when a pre-pay call is made. Typically, a caller calls an 800number to place the pre-pay call and enters the pre-pay account numberand destination phone number. In a post-pay calling card service, thecaller pays for the post-pay call after the post-pay account is chargedwith the post-pay call and the caller is billed. With some post-paycalling card services, there is a credit limit that is not to beexceeded for a post-pay account. Current implementations of theseservices require different platforms, despite the similar functionsbeing performed to implement these services. For example, currentimplementations of pre-pay and post-pay calling card services useseparate and distinct validation servers.

FIG. 1 depicts a system level block diagram for prior solutions ofpre-pay calling card services, post-pay calling card services, and“connect to resource” services. FIG. 2 depicts a message sequence chartfor a prior solution of providing pre-pay calling card services. In FIG.2, a first switch 110 receives a pre-pay call over a link 102. The firstswitch 110 then processes the pre-pay call and transmits a route queryfor a Service Control Point (SCP) 150 via a link 106, a signal transferpoint 140, and a link 108. The first switch 110 receives a routinginstruction from the SCP 150. Using information from the routinginstruction, the first switch 110 routes the pre-pay call to a serviceplatform 160 via a link 112, a third switch 130, and a link 128. Theservice platform 160 then collects the digits from the pre-pay call forthe pre-pay account code and destination number. The service platform160 validates and rates the collected digits. If the pre-pay accountcode and destination number are valid, the service platform 160 extendsthe pre-pay call to the destination phone via the link 128, the thirdswitch 130, a link 126, a second switch 120 and a link 124. The serviceplatform 160 monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates thepre-pay call if the call duration exceeds the number of remaining unitson the pre-pay account. One disadvantage with this solution is thepre-pay call is extended through the first switch 110, third switch 130,the service platform 160, and the second switch 120. Thus, many networkresources are utilized, which unnecessarily burdens the service platform160 and the 3^(rd) switch 130 for the pre-pay call to reach itsdestination.

FIG. 3 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution ofproviding post-pay calling card services. In FIG. 3, the first switch110 receives the post-pay call over the link 102. The first switch 110then processes the post-pay call. The first switch 110 collects thedigits from the post-pay call for a post-pay account code and a post-paydestination number. The first switch 110 then transmits a validate codequery for the SCP 150 via the link 106, the signal transfer point 140,and the link 108. The first switch 110 receives a validate code responsefrom the SCP 150. If the post-pay account code is valid based on thevalidate code response, the first switch 110 extends the post-pay callto the destination phone via a link 114, the second switch 120, and thelink 124. Once the post-pay call is completed, the first switch 110generates billing information for the post-pay account code. Thedisadvantage with this solution is the maintenance and cost problems ofproviding the post-pay call service. In this solution, the first switch110 performs the majority of the post-pay call service such ascollecting digits and validating caller digits. Thus, a simple change inpost-pay call service would have large costs to distribute the change toeach switch that performs post-pay call service.

FIG. 4 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution ofproviding “connect to resource” call processing services. In FIG. 4, thefirst switch 110 receives the call over the link 102 from a user thatrequires voice response interaction before the call is connected to thecalled destination. The first switch 110 then processes the call andtransmits a route query for the SCP 150 via the link 106, the signaltransfer point 140, and the link 108. The first switch 110 receives arouting instruction from the SCP 150 that routes the call from the firstswitch 110 to the service platform 160. The SCP 150 also transmits acontext message containing call information to the service platform 160via the link 116. Using information from the routing instruction, thefirst switch 110 routes the call to the service platform 160 via thelink 112, the third switch 130, and the, link 128. After receiving thecall and the context information from the SCP 150, the service platform160 plays a prompt message and collects information from the caller. Theservice platform 160 processes the call by processing the informationand sending a transfer request message to the SCP 150 via the link 116.The SCP 150 processes the transfer request message and transmits adestination instruction to the first switch 110 via the link 108, thesignal transfer point 140, and the link 106. The first switch 110 thendisconnects the call between the first switch and the service platform160 and extends the call to the destination phone via the link 114, thesecond switch 120, and the link 124.

The “connect to resource” solution is further described in a pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/063,902 entitled “TelecommunicationsResource Connection and Operation Using a Service Control Point”, filedon Apr. 21, 1998, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Current pre-pay and post-pay implementations do not provide enoughflexibility for providing new services, such as providing customizedgreetings that are easily and dynamically changeable. Currently,post-pay call greetings are played to a customer by a switching systemand a voice response unit, which cause the greetings to be veryexpensive to change, and do not provide enough flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves the above problem by validating pre-pay calls andpost-pay calls using an integrated validation database. In accord withthe invention, the integrated validation database receives a pre-payquery including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validationdatabase retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-payaccount code. The integrated validation database then transmits apre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter.The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including apost-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves apost-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. Theintegrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation responseincluding the post-pay validation parameter.

One advantage of the invention is the validation systems for pre-paycalls and post-pay calls are combined into a single integrated supportsystem. The time and costs to modify pre-pay and post-pay supportservices can then be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system level block diagram for prior solutions of pre-paycalling card services, post-pay calling card services, and “connect toresource” services.

FIG. 2 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providingpre-pay calling card services.

FIG. 3 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providingpost-pay calling card services.

FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of “connect toresource” call processing services.

FIG. 5 is system level block diagram in an example of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-paycalling card service in an example of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a message sequence chart for a post-pay calling card servicein an example of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a system level block diagram for a system including a billingsystem and a validation system in an example of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-paycalling card service for a system including a billing system and avalidation system in an example of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-paycalling card service for a system including a billing system and avalidation system in an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Pre-Pay And Post-PayCall System—FIGS. 5-7

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram in an example of the present invention. Alink 502 is connected to a switching system 504. The switching system504 is connected to an integrated service platform 508 via a link 506.The integrated service platform 508 includes a pre-pay and post-payvalidation system 512. A link 510 is also connected to the switchingsystem 504.

The switching system 504 could be a conventional communication switchconfigured in accord with the invention. The switching system 504receives calls and extends the calls to the integrated service platform508. The switching system 504 then receives a destination number and avalidation parameter generated by the integrated service platform 508and releases the call extension to the integrated service platform 508.For pre-pay calls, the switching system 504 extends the pre-pay callusing the pre-pay destination number, monitors a duration of the pre-paycall, and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration exceeds a pre-payamount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. For post-paycalls, the switching system 504 releases the post-pay call extension tothe integrated service platform 508, and extends the post-pay call usingthe post-pay destination number if the post-pay validation parameterallows the post-pay call.

The integrated service platform 508 could be a conventionalcommunication system configured in accord with the invention. Theintegrated service platform 508 receives calls from the switching system504. The integrated service platform 508 obtains the destination numberand the validation parameter for the call. The integrated serviceplatform 508 then transfers the destination number and the validationparameter to the switching system 504. The pre-pay and post-payvalidation system 512 validates the pre-pay account code and thepost-pay account codes. In other embodiments of the invention, thepre-pay and post-pay validation system 512 is separate from theintegrated service platform 508.

FIG. 6 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-paycalling card service in an example of the invention. In FIG. 6, theswitching system 504 receives the pre-pay call via the link 502. Theswitching system 504 then extends the pre-pay call to the integratedservice platform 508 via the link 506. Upon receiving the pre-pay call,the integrated service platform 508 obtains the pre-pay destinationnumber and the pre-pay validation parameter for the pre-pay call. Theintegrated service platform 508 transfers the pre-pay destination numberand the pre-pay validation parameter to the switching system 504 via thelink 506. After receiving the pre-pay destination number and the pre-payvalidation parameter, the switching system 504 releases the pre-pay callextension to the integrated service platform 508. The switching system504 then extends the call using the pre-pay destination number throughthe link 510. As the pre-pay call is in progress, the switching system504 monitors the duration of the pre-pay call. If the duration exceedsthe pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter, theswitching system 504 terminates the pre-pay call.

FIG. 7 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-paycalling card service in an example of the invention. In FIG. 7, theswitching system 504 receives the post-pay call via the link 502. Theswitching system 504 then extends the post-pay call to the integratedservice platform 508 via the link 506. Upon receiving the post-pay call,the integrated service platform 508 obtains the post-pay destinationnumber and the post-pay validation parameter for the post-pay call. Theintegrated service platform 508 transfers the post-pay destinationnumber and the post-pay validation parameter to the switching system 504via the link 506. After receiving the post-pay destination number andthe post-pay validation parameter, the switching system 504 releases thepost-pay extension to the integrated service platform 508. The switchingsystem 504 then extends the call using the post-pay destination numberthrough the link 510 if the post-pay validation parameter allows thepost-pay call.

Pre-Pay And Post-Pay Call System with Billing System and ValidationSystem—FIGS. 8-10

FIGS. 8-10 disclose one embodiment of the invention, but the inventionis not restricted to the configuration provided below. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate numerous variations in pre-pay and post-pay callsystem configuration and operation that are within the scope of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how theprinciples illustrated in this example can be used in other examples ofthe invention. A particular reference number in one figure refers to thesame element in all of the other figures.

In FIG. 8, illustrated is an embodiment of the present invention whichcomprises a switching system 800, an originating communication device810, a destination communication device 820, an integrated serviceplatform 830, a service control point (SCP) 840, a validation system850, and a rating platform 862. In addition, the first embodimentoptionally includes a billing system 860 for performing billingfunctionality in the case of post-pay calls.

As illustrated, switching system 800 includes a switching element 802, acall processor 804, and some memory/storage 806 for maintaininginstructions and data readable by call processor 804. As would beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the presented invention is notlimited to a particular switching system; rather, many differentswitching system configurations are possible in keeping with the scopeand spirit of the present invention.

Switching system 800 is connected to originating communication device810 via link 815, and to destination communication device 820 via link825. The present invention presents links 815 and 825 as a single linefor simplification purposes. As would be apparent to one skilled in theart, links 815 and 825 typically comprise many different elements suchas transmission and switching systems. The present invention does notrequire origination communication device 810 be directly connectedswitching system 800. Furthermore, although not required by the presentinvention, there are cost advantages in making switching system 800 theoriginating switching system for the call. Similarly, there is norequirement that destination communication device 820 be directlyconnected to switching system 800. Rather, in most calls providedaccording to the present invention, destination communication device 820will be connected to another switching system interconnected toswitching system 800 via a public switched, cellular, or privatetelephone network, or some combination of these networks.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, switching system 800 is further connected toservice control point 840 via link 845, and to integrated serviceplatform 830 via link 835. Integrated service platform 830 and servicecontrol point 840 are additionally connected to validation system 850via links 855 and 875, respectively. In addition, service control point840 is connected to billing system 860 via link 865. Service controlpoint 840 is connected to rating platform 862 via link 864. Servicecontrol point 840 is connected to integrated service platform 830 vialink 885. In an embodiment, links 845, 855, 864, 865, and 875 compriseone or more signaling networks, such as a Signaling System 7 (SS7) orTCP/IP data network. Additionally, link 835 typically includes one ormore voice trunks for providing a voice path for a call between theoriginating communication device 810 and the integrated service platform830.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrated are message sequence charts depicting theflow of signaling messages in one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The operation of an embodiment for providing pre-pay calls isnow further described with reference to the message sequence chartillustrated in FIG. 9. The operation of an embodiment for providingpost-pay calls is then described with reference to the message sequencechart illustrated in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 9, originating communication device 810 initiates a pre-pay callto switching system 800. Preferably, the pre-pay communication serviceis accessed by dialing a predetermined “800” telephone number (e.g.,1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx). Switching system 800 recognizes the“800” type call, and sends a route query to service control point 840requesting call handling information. Service control point 840 returnsa route instruction including the network address of integrated serviceplatform 830. A voice path is then established between originatingcommunication device 810 and integrated service platform 830. Forsimplicity, messages to any intervening network elements betweenswitching system 800 and integrated service platform 830 are notdescribed in FIG. 9.

Next, integrated service platform 830 requests context information fromservice control point 840 and receives this context information. Thiscontext information includes a call-leg count that indicates the numberof call-legs that are successfully established. For example, aconnection from the switching system 800 to the integrated serviceplatform 830 represents one call-leg, and a connection from theswitching system 800 to destination communication device 820 representsa second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to beadded and dropped during a single call.

Integrated service platform 830 then plays a welcome message and promptsthe originating caller to enter a pre-pay account code. The pre-payaccount code is then received by integrated service platform 830 fromoriginating communication device 810. Integrated service platform 830then prompts for and receives the destination telephone numbercorresponding to the destination communication device 820. In parallelwith or subsequent to the request for the destination telephone number,the integrated service platform 830 sends a pre-pay query to thevalidation system 850 with the received pre-pay account code, and apre-pay validation response is returned to the integrated serviceplatform 830. This pre-pay validation response typically contains anindication whether the pre-pay account code is currently valid or not;and if the user is authorized, then the message contains a pre-payvalidation parameter. The pre-pay validation parameter may indicate amonetary value or a period of time. In an embodiment, the pre-payvalidation parameter is announced to the originating caller. Forexample, an audible announcement is played to the originating callerindicating the time, monetary duration, or credit available for thepre-pay call.

The integrated service platform 830 passes a transfer request messageindicating the pre-pay validation parameter and the telephone number ofthe destination communication device 820 to the service control point840, which relays, and possibly reformats to a transfer instruction,this information to switching system 800.

In one embodiment of the invention, service control point 840 transmitsa query with the pre-pay validation parameter to rating platform 862 fora cost per minute table to determine how many minutes a call can be inprogress before exceeding an available dollar amount. The ratingplatform 862 then transmits a response including the calculatedremaining minutes to switching system 800 via link 864, service controlpoint 840, and link 845. The rating platform 862 may also receive updateinstructions to update the rating information for an account.

Switching system 800 then extends the pre-pay call through thecommunication network so the pre-pay call is connected between theoriginating communication device 810 and the destination communicationdevice 820. Switching system 800 then monitors the pre-pay call.Optionally, and preferably, switching system 800 imparts an audibleindication identifying when the duration of the pre-pay call approachesthe duration limit. For example, switching system 800 might use voicesynthesis technology to state that there is “two minutes left”, “oneminute left”, and “time expired;” or alternatively, various audibletones are used as duration indicators.

After the pre-pay validation parameter has been announced, the voicepath between the originating communication device 810 and the integratedservice platform 830 is disconnected, as the present invention does notrequire this resource to be unnecessarily tied up for the call durationas required by previous systems. Typically, the voice path between theoriginating communication device 810 and the integrated service platform830 is disconnected in parallel with operation of connecting the pre-paycall and performance of other operations.

When the duration of the pre-pay call reaches or exceeds a pre-payamount indicated by the received pre-pay validation parameter, switchingsystem 800 terminates the pre-pay call. Communication switch 800 sends anotice of termination to the service control point 840. Communicationswitch 800 also sends a notice of termination to the service controlpoint 840 when the pre-pay call terminates normally. Service controlpoint 840 updates the pre-pay validation parameter with the duration ofthe pre-pay call and transmits a pre-pay update instruction includingthe pre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code tovalidation system 850. Service control point 840 prepares a standardcall detail record and sends this message to billing system 860.Validation system 850 then updates its database to reflect the newpre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code.

Referring now to FIG. 10, originating communication device 810 initiatesa post-pay call to switching system 800. Preferably, the post-paycommunication service is accessed by dialing a predetermined “800”telephone number (e.g., 1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx). Switchingsystem 800 recognizes the “800” type call, and sends a route query toservice control point 840 requesting the network address (i.e., phonenumber) of integrated service platform 830. Service control point 840returns a route instruction including this network address. A voice pathis then established between originating communication device 810 andintegrated service platform 830. For simplicity, messages to anyintervening network elements between switching system 800 and integratedservice platform 830 are not described in FIG. 10.

Next, integrated service platform 830 requests context information fromservice control point 840 and receives this context information. Thiscontext information includes a call-leg count that indicates the numberof call-legs that are successfully established. For example, aconnection from the switching system 800 to the integrated serviceplatform 830 represents one call-leg, and a connection from theswitching system 800 to destination communication device 820 representsa second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to beadded and dropped during a single call.

Integrated service platform 830 then plays a welcome message and promptsthe originating caller to enter an authorized post-pay account code. Thepost-pay account code is then received by integrated service platform830 from originating communication device 810. Integrated serviceplatform 830 then prompts for and receives the destination telephonenumber corresponding to the destination communication device 820. Inparallel with or subsequent to the request for the destination telephonenumber, the integrated service platform sends a post-pay query to thevalidation system 850 with the received post-pay account code, and apost-pay validation response is returned to the integrated serviceplatform 830. This post-pay validation response typically contains anindication whether the post-pay account code is currently valid or not.

In an optional embodiment, the post-pay validation response additionallycontains a post-pay credit parameter which is used like a pre-payvalidation parameter for pre-pay calls as previously described herein.In this case, switching system 800 would similarly monitor the callduration, provide the audible indication messages, and terminate thepost-pay call when the authorized service duration is reached orexceeded.

The integrated service platform 830 passes a transfer request messageindicating the telephone number of the destination communication device820 to the service control point 840, which relays, and possiblyreformats to a transfer instruction, this information to switchingsystem 800. Switching system 800 then extends the post-pay call throughthe communication network so the post-pay call is connected between theoriginating communication device 810 and the destination communicationdevice 820.

After, or in parallel with the completion of the post-pay call, thevoice path between the originating communication device 810 and theintegrated service platform 830 is disconnected, as the presentinvention does not require this resource to be unnecessarily tied up forthe call duration as required by previous systems. When the post-paycall is terminated (e.g., the originating communication device 810 ordestination communication device 820 goes on-hook), communicationsswitch 800 sends a notice of termination to the service control point840. Service control point 840 prepares a standard call detail recordand sends this message to billing system 860. Billing systems forprocessing and invoicing customers are well-known in the art.

The above-described elements can be comprised of instructions that arestored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executedby a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, programcode, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices,tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions areoperational when executed by the processor to direct the processor tooperate in accord with the invention. Those skilled in the art arefamiliar with instructions, processor, and storage media.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of theabove-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples andillustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A method of providing pre-pay calls and post-pay calls using anintegrated service platform and an integrated validation database, themethod comprising: receiving a pre-pay call from a switching system intothe integrated service platform; in the integrated service platform,obtaining a pre-pay account code and a pre-pay destination number forthe pre-pay call; transmitting a pre-pay query including the pre-payaccount code from the integrated service platform to the integratedvalidation database; in the integrated validation database, retrieving apre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code; in theintegrated validation database, transmitting a pre-pay validationresponse including the pre-pay validation parameter and a pre-payindication of whether the pre-pay account code is valid; transferringthe pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter fromthe integrated service platform to the switching system that extends thepre-pay call based on the pre-pay destination number; dropping theintegrated service platform from the pre-pay call; receiving a post-paycall from the switching system into the integrated service platform; inthe integrated service platform, obtaining a post-pay destination numberand a post-pay account code for the post-pay call; in the integratedservice platform, transmitting a post-pay query including a post-payaccount code into the integrated validation database; in the integratedvalidation database, retrieving a post-pay validation parameter based onthe post-pay account code; transmitting a post-pay validation responseincluding the post-pay validation parameter and a post-pay indication ofwhether the pre-pay account code is valid; transferring the post-paydestination number and the post-pay validation parameter from theintegrated service platform to the switching system that extends thepost-pay call based on the post-pay destination number; and dropping theintegrated service platform from the post-pay call.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the pre-pay validation parameter comprises a period oftime.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-pay validation parametercomprises a monetary value.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:in the integrated service platform, playing a message for the pre-paycall based on a called number.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: in the integrated service platform, playing a message forthe pre-pay call based on a caller number.
 6. The method of claim 1further comprising: in the integrated service platform, playing amessage for the post-pay call based on a called number.
 7. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: in the integrated service platform, playinga message for the post-pay call based on a caller number.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein the post-pay validation parameter corresponds to apredetermined credit limit.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:in the integrated service platform, updating the pre-pay validationparameter with a pre-pay duration of the pre-pay call; generating andtransmitting a pre-pay update instruction including the pre-payvalidation parameter from the integrated service platform to anintegrated validation database; receiving the pre-pay update instructioninto the integrated validation database; and updating the integratedvalidation database with the pre-pay validation parameter and thepre-pay account code.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:generating and transmitting a post-pay update instruction including thepost-pay validation parameter from the integrated service platform to anintegrated validation database; receiving a post-pay update instructionincluding the post-pay validation parameter and the post-pay accountcode; and updating the integrated validation database with the post-payvalidation parameter and the post-pay account code.
 11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein transferring the pre-pay destination number and thepre-pay validation parameter from the integrated service platform to theswitching system further comprises: in the integrated service platform,generating and transmitting a transfer request message for a servicecontrol point.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring thepost-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter fromthe integrated service platform to the switching system furthercomprises: in the integrated service platform, generating andtransmitting a transfer request message for a service control point.